Neither men are participating in tonight's presidential debate.
Presidential candidate Liadh Ní Riada has slammed Sean Gallagher for refusing to take part in tonight's debate on Claire Byrne Live.
Gallagher's stance has always been that he would not take part if incumbent president Michael D. Higgins refused to participate. As such, it appears the debate will go ahead with only Ní Riada, Senator Joan Freeman, businessman Gavin Duffy, and businessman Peter Casey.
Speaking today, Ní Riada said: "If you are running for President, if you want to be first among equals, you need to turn up and that is equally true of Seán Gallagher and Michael D Higgins. No one should have a misplaced sense of entitlement in this election."
"It is simply not credible to stand for the highest office in the land and not turn up to debate the issues. Sean Gallagher shouldn’t be hiding behind Michael D Higgins unwillingness to participate in the first televised debate of the Presidential election."
The debate will go live at 9.35pm on RTÉ One this evening, and an invitation remains open for all candidates to join.
Gallagher himself has slammed Higgins' absence "
an insult to the people", and has said that he is open to participate if Higgins changes his mind.
